London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Bethnal Green 1888
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bethnal Green]
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37
The only other adulterated articles were 2 samples of Pepper: one
these contained 20 per cent. of ground rice; the other 10 per cent.
ground ginger. The vendors of these were prosecuted and fined.
he vendor of the sample containing ginger disputed the analysis;
but on reference to Somerset House my analysis was confirmed,
inger, after being well extracted by the ginger-beer manufacturer,
occasionally ground up to mix with Pepper, in which it is about as
useful as so much saw-dust.
Deaths having occurred in neighbouring Parishes to two young
children after eating some street Ices, samples of these articles were
bought to me by your Inspectors. They were found to consist solely
water, milk, and eggs, with occasionally a little vegetable colouring
matter, or lemon juice. In no case was any metal found to have been
unsolved from the pewter vessels in which the ices are made. All were
he from any decomposition, and were in a healthy state; in fact, so
hg as the materials are kept frozen no decomposition can take place,
hence, I am of opinion that street ices contain no poisonous ingredients,
is, however, very improper to allow children so young as those
prefferred to (under two years of age) to take such articles. The extreme
ed might easily derange their digestions, and lead to serious
usequences.
The sum of £2 for fines this quarter has been paid into the Vestry's
amount.
Appending a tabulated list of all the articles analysed,
I remain your obedient Servant,
ALF. W. STOKES, Public Analyst.
SALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1875.
| Article. | Submitted by. | Result of the Analysis. | OBSERVATIONS. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mustard, No. 2/1 | Inspector for Vestry | Contained 40 per cent. of wheaten flour | Vendor was prosecuted and fined £8 and costs. |
| Pepper, No. 2/2 | „ „ | Contained 30 per cent. of bean starch | Vendor was prosecuted and fined £2 and costs. |
| „ No. 2/3 | „ „ | Genuine | |
| „ No. 2/4 | „ „ | Contained 40 per cent. of ground rice | Vendor was prosecuted and fined £8 and costs. |
| Mustard, No. 2/5 | „ „ | Genuine | |
| „ No. 2/6 | „ „ | „ | |
| Pepper, No. 2/7 | „ „ | „ | |
| „ No. 2/8 | „ „ | „ | |
| Mustard, No. 2/9 | „ „ | Contained 20 per cent. of wheaten flour | Vendor was prosecuted and fined £2 and costs. |
| Pepper, No. 2/10 | „ „ | Genuine | |
| Mustard, No. 2/11 | „ „ | „ | |
| Pepper, No. 2/12 | „ „ | „ | |
| Milk. No. 2/13 | „ „ | „ | |
| „ No. 2/14 | „ „ | „ | |
| „ No. 2/15 | „ „ | „ | |
| „ No. 2/16 | „ „ | „ | |
| „ No. 2/17 | „ „ | „ | |
| „ No. 2/18 | „ „ | „ | |
| „ No. 2/19 | „ „ | „ | |
| „ No. 2/20 | „ „ | „ | Of poor quality. |
| „ No. 2/21 | „ „ | „ | |
| „ No. 2/22 | „ „ | „ | |
| „ No. 2/23 | „ „ | „ | Of low quality. |